For 34 grueling days, VALLON Trailblazer, Oli France has completed an incredible journey traveling by human power from the lowest point in South America (Laguna Del Carbón -105m) to the summit of Aconcagua (6,961m), covering 2,784 km in between - marking the successful completion of the third stage of his Ultimate Seven project.
Oli’s journey was far from easy. Long stretches of empty road, intense desert heat, and brutal 49mph headwinds on the bike presented unrelenting obstacles before the ascent even began. Once at the base of Aconcagua, over 13 days, Oli and his climbing partner, Mike shuttled gear up the mountain in order to acclimatize and wait for a clear weather window. Although Aconcagua is not a technical climb, its altitude and unpredictable weather results in a summit success rate of just 30%.
As the highest peak outside of Asia, Aconcagua towers over the Andes, with fierce "Viento Blanco" (‘White Wind'), sub-zero temperatures, and low oxygen levels creating a tough challenge for mountaineers attempting to climb it. For Oli and Mike, summit day proved to be challenging, with each step becoming harder as the air thinned, but their persistence and patience paid off and they reached the summit together.
Throughout the expedition, Oli’s eyewear played a crucial role in his success. VALLON’s Watchtowers™ sunglasses screened Oli against the elements on his bike, while Heron Glacier side shields and Freebirds™ goggles provided essential clarity of vision and protection during his high-altitude ascent.
This latest accomplishment follows two previous extreme endurance challenges that Oli has undertaken as part of his Ultimate Seven project:
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Africa Leg in 2023: Lac Assal to Kilimanjaro (28 days, 1,634 miles)
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North America Leg in 2024: Death Valley to Denali (64 days, 3,588 miles)
Oli’s human-powered expeditions are a testament to his relentless pursuit of adventure, determination, and resilience. Stay tuned for the next stage!
